Bond girls

The phrase 'Bond girl' conjures up so many striking images from Ursula Andress emerging from the sea in a bikini, Shirley Eaton naked covered in gold paint, and Honor Blackman's famous introduction. These are but a few of delights Bond girls have given the series over the years.

While it's a prerequisite that a Bond girl does have to be gorgeous and look absolutely stunning usually wearing as little as possible, this does not make the girls bimbos. Occasionally this has been true in a number of films, but this is because the character is limited in depth and scope giving the impression the actress is like the character she plays. The Bond girls often play highly intelligent roles as villains, other agents and professionals who frequently could play the role of James Bond just as well, if not sometimes better than Bond himself.

While the essence of Bond remains the same, the gadgets, villains and adventures, even the actor playing James Bond has had to change to keep up with the uncertain times ahead. This is true also for the bond girls. The Bond girls have constantly been changing becoming distinctly more complex and enjoying a greater freedom and scope with ranging roles in the films. As long as there is James Bond 007, there will always be Bond girls. These girls will be eternal members of an elite club that hold the title of 'Bond girl' whether it be past, present or future. §